The Honda Accord has been a staple of the sedan market since its debut in the late 70s. Honda’s venerable midsize sedan is one of its best-selling models of the past four decades and remains a popular choice for drivers despite increased and tougher competition. In addition, the Honda Accord is a go-to option for used car buyers, thanks to its dependability, reliability, longevity, and good value retention. In other words, it’s hard to go wrong when buying a used Honda Accord.
But not all used Honda Accord years are created equal, and some are certainly more reliable than others. After all, if you buy a used model, you might as well ensure your car will last and not cost you thousands in repairs right out the gate.
Today, we go through recent Accord generations and determine the most reliable Honda Accord year. So what is the most reliable Honda Accord year? Let’s take a look.
The Most Reliable Honda Accord Years
1998-2002 Honda Accord
Unless you really want to buy very old Honda Accord models, you’ll want to go only as far back as the sixth generation (1998-2002). In the sixth generation, Honda remodeled the Accord to have more interior space, which is a welcome change. However, it’s hard to recommend this Accord generation for various reasons.
Avoid this generation despite attractive prices in the used car market. Consumer Reports (CR) gave this generation a relatively low reliability score of 2-3 out of 5, although they have high owner satisfaction ratings. However, the automotive complaint resource website CarComplaints.com gave all five of the 6th-gen Accord models the dreaded “Avoid Like the Plague” seal of disapproval. Unfortunately, this generation suffered from widespread transmission failure and body integrity issues.
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2003-2007 Honda Accord
The seventh generation Accord debuted with even more potent powertrains. Honda also offered a 240-horsepower V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission for the coupe version. Barring some problems, the 2003-2007 Accord models are solid used car options, plus they’re practical and surprisingly fun to drive. In terms of reliability, many people swear by the seventh generation of this popular midsize sedan.
However, owners have reported various mechanical issues once they cross the 100k mile threshold. Notably, the early models (2003 and 2004) had widespread transmission issues, including outright failure and slippage. Therefore, we can’t recommend the 2003 and 2004 Accord models. The 2005 model year also had some problems with the transmission, but they’re not as widespread.
Thankfully, the 2006 and 2007 years are great used Accord models, and both earned CarComplaints’ “Pretty Good” seal of approval. Therefore, the 2006 and 2007 models get our recommendation for the most reliable Honda Accord year for this generation.
2008-2012 Honda Accord
The 2008 model was another redesign year for the Accord, where it grew larger and was treated by consumers as a “large” car. True enough, the eighth Accord generation features a more extensive, roomier interior with spacious rear seats to match. However, with the new generation comes a new set of mechanical woes for the Accord.
The 2008 Honda Accord received thousands of NHTSA complaints and was a recipient of the Car Complaints’ “Avoid Like the Plague” award. According to the website, the 2008 Accord had severe defects like excessive oil consumption, wildly uncomfortable seats, and poor brakes. The 2009 Accord fared better in terms of reliability the following year, but it’s still considered a “Clunker” by Car Complaints due to the same problems as the 2008 model. We recommend avoiding the 2008 and 2009 Accord models.
What about the most reliable Honda Accord year in the eighth generation? Thankfully, the last two models for this generation are top-notch used cars, the 2011 and 2012 Honda Accord models. We also put the 2012 Accord as the best year of the sedan in a previous writeup.
THE HONDA ACCORD YEARS TO AVOID
Some years are better than others when it comes to the uber-popular Honda Accord. Let’s review which Honda Accord years to avoid based on commonly-reported problems.
2013-2017 Honda Accord
The ninth generation of the Accord saw a significant redesign and shrank in size but remained spacious and family-friendly. It’s an impressive lineup because plenty of standard safety features were introduced, including backup cameras, lane departure warnings, front-collision detection, etc.
Unfortunately, this Accord generation opened with particularly problematic models, the 2013 and 2014 models. Both of these models suffered electrical problems and were made worse because it happened after the 36K mile warranty expired, earning them the “Beware of the Clunker” seal from CarComplaints.com. Furthermore, many complaints were about the OEM battery not having enough amp to start the Accord’s V6 engine reliably. We recommend skipping the 2013 and 2014 Accords.
Thankfully, the rest of the ninth generation (2015, 2016, and 2017) has improved in terms of reliability. The most reliable Honda Accord year for this generation is the 2015 model. It has the least number of complaints out of this generation and only has four recalls under its belt. Also, the 2015 Accord has primarily minor issues, including clear coat problems and sudden loss of power. All things considered, the 2015 model is one of the most reliable years for the Accord sedan.
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So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
2018-Present Honda Accord
The current generation of the Accord sedan sports another major redesign with its coupe-like silhouette and a lower stance. This current generation offers what you usually expect from the Accord: a comfortable ride, responsive handling, and many standard safety features.
The least reliable models for the tenth generation are 2018 and 2019 years. They received many complaints but are relatively minor, including cracked windshields, rattling in the dash, and faulty ABS. Consumer Reports rated the 2018 and 2019 Accords with 3 out of 5 scores in Reliability and Owner Satisfaction. If you’re going to avoid models from this batch, it has to be the 2018 and 2019 Accord years.
On the other hand, the 2020 and 2021 are arguably the better cars to buy as used since they’re reportedly more reliable. Plus, these are some of the best-reviewed Accords in many years, proving that sedans are not going away anytime soon. Both models were rated highly by CR in reliability and owner satisfaction. However, if you’re determined to invest in the 2020 or 2021 Accord, prepare to pay for higher used car prices since they’re newer.
Common Honda Accord Reliability Problems
While the Accord has a great reputation for reliability, it has its fair share of issues:
- Faulty Ignition Switch: The Accord has had issues with its ignition switch, crucial for starting the car and operating the lights. A faulty switch can prevent the car from starting and is a safety hazard, costing about $250 to repair.
- Transmission Failure: Transmission failure is a significant problem, especially in models around 98,000 miles, with the average repair cost being about $3,000. This issue has led to class-action lawsuits against Honda.
- Excessive Oil Consumption: Some Accords burn oil excessively, leading to premature oil changes or even engine replacements, costing around $1,200.
- Faulty Airbag System: Problems with the airbag system not deploying upon collision have been reported, increasing the risk of injuries.
- Premature Brake Pad Wear: Many owners have complained about having to replace brake pads annually, adding significant maintenance costs over the car’s lifetime.
- Starter Failure: The Accord has experienced issues with starter failure, particularly just after the warranty expires, costing about $700 to replace.
- Steering Deviation: Some models, particularly the 2013 and 2015 Accords, have been reported to pull hard to one side unexpectedly, currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
FAQs: Most Reliable Honda Accord Years
Q: What are the most reliable years for the Honda Accord?
A:As per the guide, the most reliable Honda Accords are the 2006 and 2007 models from the seventh generation and the 2011 and 2012 models from the eighth generation. These specific years have garnered positive feedback for their dependability and have fewer reported issues compared to other years.
Q: What issues should I be aware of in the sixth-generation Honda Accord?
A:The sixth-generation Honda Accord (1998-2002) is advised to be avoided despite its attractive used market prices due to widespread transmission failure and body integrity issues, earning low reliability scores from Consumer Reports and negative evaluations from CarComplaints.com.
Q: How do the 2013 and 2014 Honda Accord models fare regarding reliability?
A:The 2013 and 2014 Accord models are considered less reliable, mainly due to electrical issues occurring after the 36k-mile warranty period. These models have been marked as problematic, especially concerning their OEM battery and starting reliability.
Q: What makes the 2015 Honda Accord a reliable choice?
A:The 2015 Honda Accord stands out in terms of reliability within its generation, with the fewest complaints and only a few recalls.
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